Today, we know that there are zero good reasons to smoke. Despite the warnings and the link between smoking and increased lung cancer diagnoses, people continue to do it.

Below, we outline some of the reasons why you should consider quitting tobacco use entirely.

4 Reasons to Quit Smoking

#1 – Smoking is bad for your health.

According to the Surgeon General, quitting smoking is the single most important step a smoker can take to improve the length and quality of his/her life. Need further proof? Consider the this timeline of benefits, courtesy of the American Lung Association and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

#2 – Smoking is expensive.

Smoking isn’t cheap. Depending on where you live, a pack of cigarettes can cost upwards of $10 with prices continuing to rise each day. Even if you only spend $5 on a pack of cigarettes, smoking one pack of cigarettes per day equates to more than $1,800 per year.

#3 – Smoking is inconvenient.

Today, more restaurants and other business establishments are attuned to the negative effects that smoking has on the health of others as well as their business. More cities and states within the United States have passed laws that ban smoking in public places, making it a hassle for smokers to light up. Is it really worth the trouble to find a spot out of the way to light up that cigarette?

#4 – Smoking is harmful to others around you.

Cigarette smoke is harmful to everyone who gets a whiff – not just the person who smokes. In fact, studies show that secondhand smoke is just as dangerous and can make you sick. Help those you care about and love breathe easier when you quit smoking. Besides breathing easier, quitting smoking means that you no longer carry the strong, smelly scent of smoke in your clothes and hair. You’ll be able to enjoy ordinary activities, taste your food better, get a better sense of smell, and so much more.